JANUARY 14, 2014

Button's father John dies at 70

Jenson Button's father, a highly popular F1 figure and a long-standing paddock regular, has died.

John Button, a former rallycross driver and preparer of kart engines, died at the age of 70 at his home in France of a suspected heart-attack, McLaren driver Button's management announced in a statement.

He was an always-smiling presence in the F1 paddock, rarely - if ever - missing a race.

"Ever since Jenson was a boy, racing go-karts, his dad has been at his side, helping him, supporting him," McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh said.